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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Nursing Assistant (Perioperative) Near Shreveport, LA

Qualifications:

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the NA occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:

• GS-3 (Entry Level)
  • Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4
  • Experience: One year of specialized experience as a NA or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, health technician, hospital corpsman, etc.), performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments; OR
  • Education: Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position, such as education in a program for psychology, psychiatric, or operating room technicians
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
    • Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
    • Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
    • Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, etc.
    • Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.
• GS-5 (Full Performance Level)
  • Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. OR
  • Education: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelor's degree
  • Demonstrated KSA's:
    • Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in a hospital, long term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
    • Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.
    • Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance. For example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc.

Preferred Experience: Experience in the perioperative setting with knowledge of Operating Room supplies, equipment, instrumentation, and sterile technique.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/81 PART II APPENDIX G46

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities:

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: Nursing Assistant

Major Duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Measure and record vital signs, intake and output, and weights.
2. Meets personal hygiene needs such as bathing, lifting, turning and feeding.
3. Performs EKG testing.
4. Perform phlebotomy for tests as ordered by a physician. Labels specimens in accordance with facility policy and standard operating procedures.
5. Duties may include transport activities (transfer of patients to and from procedures/units) and delivering lab specimens to laboratory.
6. Initiate saline lock. Routinely checks for patency/inflammation/infiltration.
7. Perform routine foley catheter care including insertion and removal of indwelling catheters.
8. Performs oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal and tracheal suctioning, performs routine tracheotomy care, instructs patient in use of incentive spirometer.
9. Perform and documents finger sticks as ordered and necessary.
10. Assists with procedures, including preparing equipment and supplies, having all necessary items present, and in preparing the patient for the procedure. Clips the operative site according to procedure.

Work Schedule: Full time, 6:00a - 2:30p or 8:30a - 5:00p, M-F
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00015F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary